ISLAMABAD: Minister for Petroleum and Privatization Syed Naveed Qamar has told the senate that the Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) has allowed the import of 100,000 tonnes of sugar to increase the stocks of the Trading Corporation of Pakistan (TCP) in the backdrop of the prospective delay in sugar cane crushing.

He said this while replying to a question from Najma Hameed during question hour in senate on Friday.

To another question from Kalsoom Perveen he said that the Model Custom Collectorate was located in Custom House Karachi and no proposal to abolish it was under consideration by the government.

Replying to a question from Muhammad Ali Durrani he said international donor agencies had provided financial assistance of 2,797 million dollars during the last three years.

Responding to a question from Senator Muhammad Ali Durrani, Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Babar Awan said that benefit was being provided to 141,449 persons in Lahore division and 110,627 people of Bahawalpur division under Benazir Income Support Program (BISP). The government was not considering any special package for Bahawalpur division, he added.

Answering a question in place of Commerce Minister Makhdoom Amin Fahim, Babar Awan said Pakistan had exported no rice to India during 2007-08 and 2008-09.

Replying to a question from Professor Ibrahim, Babar Awan said that eight mobile companies were operating in the country at present. The license of Instaphone company had been suspended due to non payment of license fee, he added. A fine of Rs60 million was imposed on Mobilink for providing poor services, he informed.

Chairman senate Farooq H Naik referred the matter related to hefty salary and privileges of president of National Bank of Pakistan to the respective committee.

Minister for petroleum and privatization Syed Naveed Qamar told the senate that the president of national bank was being paid Rs240,000 on account of monthly salary besides heavy  allowances. Three vehicles including a precious bullet proof vehicle had also been provided to him, he added. —Online